The Riverside Journals - Festivals Issue 38 - FULL | Page 130

John-Paul Pietrus
Is there someone in particular who has been your biggest artistic influence,
and if so, who was it?
There was no one person. I am inspired by many different artists, photographers and writers. Inspiration
is everywhere! I hold an education in fine arts and art history so that’s always in my mind.
What topic of photography is your favourite?
People. Whether it is people in fashion (models), documentary and cultural, or celebrity portraiture. My
strength is in fashion, but I greatly admire the work of National Geographic photographers, especially
those who are so incredible at capturing people. I am in great awe and admiration of Steve McCurry, who
has an incredible way of photographing people and cultural subjects, with a wonderful colour sensibility.
You also studied film and painting but did you know when you first went into photography that this
would be your chosen career path?
I did not know. I knew I had an interest in fashion, but my school was very much steered towards fine
arts. I wanted to be an ‘art photographer’ so to speak but one thing led to another and I found myself
moving into fashion photography.
Can you explain to our readers what you enjoy about being a professional photographer?
The best part, for me, is meeting these wonderful people, whether they are the subjects whom I
photograph, or the other people who make up the teams. That, and the fact that I am able to make
a living out of something I truly love and enjoy. I’ve also been able to travel all over the world and
photograph in some incredible places that most people only dream of seeing!
Among your works, do you have a favourite, and if so, can you tell us what it is?
I don’t, actually. I try to get better and better and expand my photographic language. I do have favourite
memories, such as a shoot in Luxor, Egypt, amongst all of the magnificent millennia old temples, or one
in Rome which is one of my favourite cities, and another in Istanbul, another favourite city. You see, these
photographs are infused with memories and experiences with people who have become very dear to my heart.
I am interested to know what motivates you?
The subjects of the photos themselves: the models and the fashion. I am addicted to creating imagery, so is
that motivation? I just love making images, whether they are photographs or perhaps sketches and collages
in my sketchbook. Trying to make the world a more beautiful place and trying to ‘do good’ with imagery is
motivation. For example, I try to put my talents towards charity; I have hosted charity print sales of work I ha fP